1st cohort of PHSU medical students in VI receive their white coats

PARAQUITA BAY, Tortola, VI- Two Virgin Islanders are part of the inaugural cohort of medical students for the Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) here in the Virgin Islands (VI).

The PSHU Class of 2029 received their white coats during the medical school’s inaugural White Coat Investiture Ceremony on Thursday, July 10. 2025, at Elieene L. Parsons Auditorium of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay.

Deshoy Ivan Ward and Koiya Rymer of the VI received their white coats together with 30 other student doctors from the projected 40 students for this cohort, who come from Puerto Rico and the United States.

‘An important & pivotal moment in your lives’- VP PHSU

Vice President of PHSU, Dr Jose Daniel Pérez, MD, MSC, MPH, said the ceremony is an opportunity to reflect and share this moment with not only students, but family, staff and the people who helped them get to this point.

“Today definitely marks an important and pivotal moment in your lives, a day that you will undoubtedly look back on with pride and perhaps a pinch of anticipation for the incredible journey that lies ahead.”

Dr Perez told the student doctors, their academic career in medicine has officially begun.

“It’s going to prepare you to do the symbolic act of wearing the white coat today. Take a moment, reflect and truly absorb the significance of this occasion.”

He added that medicine is not an ordinary career.

“It is a call that you have, Doctors have a call, and definitely you have it.”